LifeSouth To Host Emergency Blood Drive On Tuesday

From The JAX Chamber:

November 2, 2020

LifeSouth, facing an urgent need for blood donors, especially type O (positive and negative), holds emergency blood drive next week in Orange Park

Blood donations have continued to decline nationwide, though hospitals have mostly resumed normal operations. Many who regularly hold drives have been unable to host due to COVID-19. LifeSouth worries if donations do not increase, patient care at local hospitals may be affected.

“Blood supplies are down nationwide, in large part because of COVID-19,” said JD Pettyjohn, vice president of operations for LifeSouth. “We are in dire need of blood donors, especially those with type O blood, as patients in our local hospitals rely on blood to survive. There is no substitute for blood donations, making blood donors so important.”

Right now, LifeSouth has a critically low supply of type O blood (both positive and negative). Type O blood is the most transfused type and critical for accident and trauma patients.

LifeSouth asks all blood donors, especially type O donors, to please come and donate, and reminds the public that it is safe to donate blood.

An emergency blood drive will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 at Orange Park Medical Center (2001 Kingsley Ave, Orange Park, FL 32073) from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Other opportunities to donate blood this week include:

Orange Park Medical Center In-Patient Rehab Center, Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Green Cove Springs City Hall, Nov. 3 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Visit www.lifesouth.org to find the closest blood center or blood drive near you or call LifeSouth’s toll-free number, 1-888-795-2707. Appointments can also be made online or by calling.

LifeSouth is a non-profit community blood center serving Baptist Medical Center Beaches, Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville, Baptist Medical Center Nassau, Baptist Medical Center South, Memorial Hospital, Orange Park Medical Center and Wolfson Children’s Hospital hospitals.

This press release was produced by The JAX Chamber. The views expressed here are the author’s own.